The Department of Justice says 80 refugees could be re-located to a Ballaghadereen by the end of March.
The Department has decided to house the group – mostly from Syria and including around 40 children under 12 years – in the restored Abbeyfield Hotel in the town.
In a statement to Shannonside FM this evening, the Department expect that any Syrian refugees will be given a grant of international protection for a period of approximately 12 weeks.
Earlier today Roscommon County Council was told that there is provision for up to 200 people may be accommodated at the former Abbeyfield Hotel in the town.
John Roycrofft, Programme Director with the Irish Refugee Protection Programme, has moved to re-assure the public that anyone who is coming to Ballaghdereen will be fully checked before they arrive
He was speaking after a meeting with Roscommon county council today at which he announced the programme had originally received over 90 expressions of interest from property owners across the country and the Ballaghdereen facility is now the last option available from those expressions.
Eugene Banks, Principal Director with the Reception and Integration Agency explains how they will be able to expand the facility to accommodate 200 people
In a statement this evening to Shannonside FM, the Department of Justice claims that the Syrian refugees staying in Ballaghdereen is intended to be only short term and after they leave the facility they will be housed elsewhere in Ireland.
The Local Authority says it only found out about the move yesterday – with councillors meeting for several hours today to discuss the situation.
Minister of the State at the Department of Justice is David Stanton:
